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M-protein, M-spike in Myeloma?
M-protein, m-spike, monoclonal protein- many names pointing to the same thing- multiple myeloma. While there are many diagnostic tests surrounding a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, many MM patients refer to their m-spike for the number to give a general sense of their MM status.
- “I had an M-spike of 5 when I was diagnosed but induction therapy brought it down to 1.0” or
- “I am happy to report that I have no m-spike after my induction therapy” or maybe even
- “After 2 years of no m-spike, it is slowly creating up…”
What is a monoclonal protein? (m-spike, m-protein, paraprotein)
Bone marrow is the spongy stuff in bones. It is made of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. When a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell begins reproducing out of control, it can lead to a blood cancer called multiple myeloma.
If you have less than 10% plasma cells in your bone marrow you will probably have a low m-spike and a form of pre-myeloma called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance aka MGUS.
If you have between 10% and 60% plasma cells in your bone marrow your m-spike will probably be between 1.0-3.0 and a form of pre-myeloma called smoldering multiple myeloma aka SMM.
The bottom line is that healthy people don’t have any m-spike. And an m-spike that is increasing means that plasma cells are growing in your bone marrow. Too many plasma cells can cause real damage in your body.
An m-spike by itself isn’t necessarily a problem. Just as a low percentage of plasma cells in your bone marrow isn’t necessarily a problem either. It is a high percentage of plasma cells that can cause damage to your bones, kidneys and/or blood that can be a real problem for you.
I am a long-term multiple myeloma survivor. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of managing myeloma.
Email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com if you have questions about MM, diagnostic testing, conventional therapies or evidence-based non-conventional therapies.
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
What Is M Protein (Myeloma Protein)?
“To check if you have a cancer called multiple myeloma, your doctor may ask you to get a test for M protein. If M protein shows up in your blood or urine, it’s a sign you might have that disease or another condition.
The M stands for monoclonal. Monoclonal means that all copies of the protein, in this case, an antibody or part of an antibody, are exactly the same.You may also hear your doctor call them monoclonal immunoglobulin, myeloma, M spike, or paraprotein.
Whatever their name, they’re made in your bone marrow, the spongy tissue in the middle of many bones. That’s where blood cells form. One kind of white blood cell, called a plasma cell, plays a big role in your immune system — your body’s defense against germs.
To fend off sickness, plasma cells release proteins called antibodies. They find and kill viruses, bacteria, and other substances. But sometimes, plasma cells make abnormal proteins, which are the ones called M proteins. These M proteins don’t have any power to fight infection...
Multiple myeloma. When plasma cells are cancerous and grow out of control, it’s called multiple myeloma. These cancer cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy cells. They also make M proteins. Higher levels of M protein in the blood can lead to complications…
Types of M Proteins
M proteins are made of pieces called chains. There are usually two “light” chains and two “heavy” chains.
M proteins are grouped by what kind of heavy and light chains they have. There are five kinds of heavy chains, called IgG, IgA, IgD, IgM, and IgE. There are two types of light chains, called kappa and lambda.
The most common type of M protein in myeloma is IgG. High levels of IgM suggest you may have Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia…